Joint socket structure used in artificial Christmas trees

Abstract

An improved joint socket structure used in artificial Christmas trees has enhanced safety, avoiding electrical wires from being squeezed and damaged by rotary branches. The main improvement is an arcuate shield disposed on each pivotal joint socket that connects the branches to the main trunk. The shield covers the space above the joint socket so that electrical wires wound around the Christmas trees will not get into the movement space of rotary branches. By way of this, the joint socket structure according to the invention can prevent electrical current leakage and electrical shocks caused by broken electrical wires.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A collapsible artificial Christmas tree comprising: 
       (a) a trunk;  
       (b) a plurality of branches disposed to extend therefrom, each said branch having formed at a terminal end thereof an end connecting hole; and,  
       (c) a joint socket assembly for pivotally coupling one said branch to said trunk, said joint socket assembly including:  
       (1) a rotary joint socket fixedly coupled to said trunk and having a free end radially offset therefrom, said rotary joint socket having a substantially U-shaped portion defining a space between a pair of laterally opposed side surfaces, each of said side surfaces having formed therein a hole communicating with said space;  
       (2) an electrically insulated shield coupled in pivotally displaceable manner to said rotary joint socket, said shield having an upper portion and a pair of laterally spaced rotary plate portions extending therefrom, said shield having a pair of laterally spaced connecting plate portions extending from said upper portion between said rotary plate portions, adjacent ones of said rotary and connecting plate portions receiving one said rotary joint socket side surface therebetween, each said rotary and connecting plate portion having formed therethrough an axial hole substantially aligned with said side surface holes of said rotary joint socket, said upper portion having a top hole receiving one said branch therethrough;  
       (3) an electrically insulated shaft passing through said side surface holes of said rotary joint socket, said rotary and connecting plate portion axial holes of said shield, and said end connecting hole of said branch to pivotally couple said rotary joint socket, shield and branch;  
       said shield and said branch together being thereby pivotally displaceable about said shaft between collapsed and extended positions, said shield in both said collapsed and extended positions covering said free end of said rotary joint socket for preventing the capture of an article thereagainst.  
     
     
       2. The collapsible artificial Christmas tree as recited in claim  1  wherein of said joint socket assembly further includes an electrically insulated buffer coupled to said rotary joint socket for supporting said branch in said extended position thereof. 
     
     
       3. The collapsible artificial Christmas tree as recited in claim  1  wherein said shield and shaft are each integrally formed of an electrically insulating material.